State Urges Exotic Animal Owners To Register By Deadline

9-22-2012 Ohio:

The Ohio Department of Agriculture is reminding owners of exotic animals that they must register their animals by the deadline of Nov. 5 or they could run the risk of losing their animals.

Ohio law now requires owners to register with ODA. Among the requirements is a micro-chip implanted in each animal to track ownership.

ODA says so far only one person has successfully registered their animal. That person resides in Tipp City and owns a puma.

Three other people have tried to register but did not meet all the requirements.

Changes to Ohio's exotic animal laws came after the killing of more than 20 exotic animals in Zanesville last October, after their owner Terry Thompson released the animals before taking his own life.

ODA's Director of Communications, Erica Hawkins, says it is still difficult to know exactly how many exotic pets are in Ohio.

"I think that's one of the benefits of this registration period is that it's finally for the first time in Ohio history going to give us a chance to quantify what is out there," Hawkins said.

Hawkins also said that anyone who does not register their animals by the deadline of Nov. 5 will be in violation of Ohio law. As of January 2014, the state will be allowed to remove any animals from owners who have not registered them.

Reynoldsburg veterinarian Dr. Ingrid Schweinfurth works with exotic animals at Ohio sanctuaries including monkeys and large cats.

Schweinfurth, who is co-owner of Indian Creek Veterinary Hospital, says that implanting micro-chips in large animals such as cats can be a difficult process since the animals can react aggressively.

"Even though it is easy and it is not extremely painful, these animals are not used to people. And anything that hurts they will react to so we have to be very, very careful that nobody gets hurt," said Dr. Schweinfurth.

However, Schweinfurth also said that she believes the micro-chip is an excellent idea and is very effective in tracking animals owners.

The chip and registration cost approximately $50 however with exotic animals, there can be additional fees depending upon if the animal must be tranquilized.

ODA says failure to register animals not only runs the risk of the animals being removed but it is also a misdemeanor.

If you would like a registration form, click here. ..Source.. by Nadia Bashir | NBC4